as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of milieu On the right, this manifested itself as various forms of xenophobia and a wholesale mistrust of institutional figures; on the left, as much of what came to be called cancel culture and its censorious milieu. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025 And that’s the milieu that this character is growing up through. Fiction Non Fiction june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025 But the Parisian art scene remained a heavily male milieu in which Lijn, as a young woman, often felt dismissed. Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025 Eventually Gauguin got a job as a draftsman for the department of public works and began writing political commentary for a local paper, but his sense of having betrayed his values and gifts in Tahiti’s colonial milieu only grew. Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for milieu
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu
Noun
  • Having doubled in strength in less than a day, Erick churned through an ideal environment for quick intensification.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • Place the container or bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, and close the vent to create a humid environment.
    Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The Mediterranean atmosphere is ideal for a lunch pre or post-tennis matches.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Ahead of the event’s fifth edition, Reeve-Rabb suggests the 2026 festival line-up could be even bigger, while retaining the event’s intimate atmosphere.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Outraged, Anya tweeted at the museum that this was akin to saying, without additional context, that an Impressionist painting had been acquired in Vienna in 1942.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • But agents are only as effective as the intelligence layer that connects to the context of the customer.
    Anand Shah, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • And although the show avoids preachy comparisons between its well-off, white climate refugees and their less privileged present-day counterparts, there’s plenty to notice about the international community’s indifference to the plight of the stateless.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
  • This reality has sparked legitimate concerns about AI undermining climate progress.
    Tenzin Seldon, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The entry-level Sport gets a Harman Kardon surround system, electrically adjustable front seats, steering wheel heating, all-wheel drive, a heat pump, and DC charging up to 175kW, a decent standard kit list.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The dining room leads to a bright eat-in kitchen that overlooks the backyard and opens to a family room with a stately fireplace with brick surround.
    Alicia Napierkowski, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Milieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milieu. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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